|
Process controls during manufacturing are critical to quality, but thorough testing is the ultimate validation of those processes. Testing PCBs, assemblies, cables, and harnesses ensure the products you receive are right every time.
LPI provides numerous test capabilities through its extensive technical staff, team of manufacturing engineers, and partnership with Tecnova (LPI's sister engineering firm at our Waukegan facility).
|
|
|
Consider which of the following test methods is best for your product.
Don't know? LPI can help!
X-RAY INSPECTION
- Ensures proper soldering of surface-mount components such as ball-grid arrays (BGAs)
- Checks for open solder connections and bridges (shorts)
- Detects misaligned components
- Inspection of over-molded electrical connectors
- Detects defects down to 5 microns in size
- Best when used for medium to high volume production and for PCBs that will be functionally tested at a high level, electro-mechanical assembly stage
IN-CIRCUIT TESTING (ICT)
- PCB only testing
- Ensures the placement of components (values, orientation)
- Checks for shorts and opens in the board
- Does not apply power to board, test functionality, or validate firmware
- Best when used for medium to high volume production and for PCBs that will be functionally tested at a high level, electro-mechanical assembly stage
BED-OF-NAILS FUNCTIONAL TESTING
- PCB only testing; custom built fixtures with and without PC software/interface
- Applies power and validates PCB functionality
- Best when complete testing is required before complicated top-level assembly and where products ship directly to end users
BENCH TESTING
- PCB, sub-assembly, or top-level assembly
- Simplified "ad-hoc" type fixture to test functionality
- For PCBs, fixture tooling is typically lower but testing can be less reliable than a bed-of-nails fixture
- For assemblies, this may be the only method to fully test a finished product before it ships to the end user
CONTINUITY TESTING
- Cable assembly and harnesses
- Ensures continuity between connections
- Validates pin placement on connectors
|
X-Ray Inspection System
ICT Fixture
Typical Bed-of-Nails Fixture
Example Bench Test
Example Continuity Test
|
